FAA powerless to stop people from throwing turkeys out of airplanes despite Tommy Lee's objections

After saying it would look into an annual Arkansas event involving live turkeys getting launched from a plane, the Federal Aviation Administration admits there's nothing they can do about it, in part because they never expected that to be a thing.

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"FAA regulations do not specifically prohibit dropping live animals from aircraft, possibly because the authors of the regulation never anticipated that an explicit prohibition would be necessary," one drumstuck FAA spokesman told the Huffington Post. "This does not mean we endorse the practice."

The Turkey Trot festival, set in Yellville, Ark., is highlighted by the "turkey drop" event that sees several get tossed from a plane flying 500 feet above the ground.

No G-man can protect these gobblers. (iStockPhoto/Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Attendees are encouraged to chase after the aircraft and catch the falling fowl.

In 2016, two out of the 12 avian ejectees died on impact, but at this year's event, held on Oct. 14, there were no reported turkey deaths.

"Our regulations only cover 'objects,' and specify that they can be dropped from aircraft as long as they don't pose a danger to people or property on the ground," the FAA spokesperson continued.

"In this case, investigators determined that the pilot did not violate FAA safety regulations because the turkeys were dropped over a creek and a park, well away from crowds at the festival."

Any charges of animal cruelty would need to be registered with state or local officials, but no complaints have reportedly been made.

However, that's not stopping animal rights activist and Motley Crue rocker Tommy Lee from trying to stick up for his fellow drumsticks.

Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee has previously called for an end to the running of the bulls in Pamplona, Spain, and now he's "Red Hot" over the turkey drop taking place in Arkansas. (Damian Dovarganes/ASSOCIATED PRESS)

According to Arkansas Online, Lee sent a letter to Yellville Mayor Shawn Lane asking him to stop the poultry plummetting practice.

"I've met some wild Arkansans over the years while touring there with Motley Crue, and I thought I'd heard it all," said Lee. "But I just heard from my friends at PETA about a twisted Ozark ritual that even the most deranged headbanger couldn't invent: dropping live turkeys from a plane as the 'entertainment' at the 'family-friendly' Turkey Trot festival.

"I'm writing to add my voice to the thousands of others asking you to help deep-six this sick stunt."